Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Secrets of a Summer Night

Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

19 reviews

benelie's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

carbs666's review

Go to review page

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This book starts off SO strong but it does kind of sag in the middle and become a bit "meh" towards the end (hate to say it about my girl Lisa but it's true), hence the 3 star rating. I love how this book sets up the Wallflowers series and gives you a little bit of information about each of the wallflowers to take into their coming books.

I appreciate Simon Hunt a lot he really is like a proto Tom Severin (one of my favourite Kelypas heroes) and I also appreciate how Lisa injects her usual threat of deadly violence/accident into this book to bring some additional spice.

The best part of this book for me is when Annabelle gets bitten by an adder (literally what????) and Simon takes care of her. He cuts off her corset!!!! So hot!!!!!

In general, I felt like the potential for external conflict created by that gross lord who was hounding Annabelle and her mom could have been better realized than it was, and while I appreciated how Lisa did inject some peril and conflict towards the end it also felt a bit random when there were other much better set up options. I've read the last 2 books in this series but I've never read this one or the second one, so I expect I will be working thru a full series read/reread in the next little while.

Content Warnings

jmelkw's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

sydapel's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Not sure I know any other review but aggressively fine? I did appreciate that it didn't take the turn I was expecting - "marriage of convenience to save me & my family from ruin" - and I love a good caretaking scene, but not a lot else to recommend it otherwise.

Content Warnings

annahamburger's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

what_karla_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

livruther's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

this was so so sweet!! i love simon, and i just loved the vibes of this book

Content Warnings

smuttymcbookface's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

allingoodtime's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I was prepared to love all of the women who make up the Wallflowers, but I wasn’t expecting them to have such distinct personalities from the very beginning. Such a wonderful talent to be able to get that across so quickly. While they all have their roadblocks to finding a suitor, it seems Annabelle’s may be the most dire.

Annabelle grew up with privilege and should have been snatched up quickly once she was of age, but her father passed away and the family was quickly plunged into debt. Although she’s beautiful, no man is willing to take on a woman who doesn’t have a dowry and has a mother and young brother that need to be cared for. Especially when she’s known to be strong-willed and the men feel she will eventually have to give in to being a mistress due to her financial situation. In Annabelle’s mind, that is not an option. She will find a way. Hence, the Wallflower’s pact starts with finding Annabelle a suitable match.

For years there has been an undeniable attraction between Annabelle and Simon. He has made his interest evident, although he doesn’t want a wife but a mistress. Annabelle has never admitted her attraction because she doesn’t realize that’s what it is…she doesn’t think of Simon as a suitable match as he is not part of the ton. He is new money and he doesn’t bow to “polite” society’s expectations and she is nothing if not the picture of a proper lady.

These two are so much fun. They are so obviously falling in love with each other yet are in complete denial for different reasons. Even through multiple misunderstandings that would usually cause that bond to break, they keep coming back to each other. It’s amazing.

For all of the angst, heat, and fighting there are also moments of incredible tenderness that had me swooning. The way these two come to be betrothed is delightful while the denials of feelings of love are comical. This book was a lot more fun than I expected.

Content Warnings

ember_eyes_are_for_tigers's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

There is definitely an odd choice in the pacing, that after the first two thirds of the novel changes completely, which could’ve definitely been a stylistic choice from the author. Signifying the slower and calmer approach to life the main character now has that her main goal, that had been driving throughout the entire book, wan now accomplished.
Despite that, I really enjoyed the beginning and the middle of the book, especially the non romantic relationship that the character formed throughout it. However, I do believe that the

the wedding was rushed and, as the author was keen to show us how Annabelle’s life changed now that her social status also changed, I wished we could’ve seen more of it and more in depth.

Content Warnings

More...